Faux Vows, True Desires

Owen gazed down at the object of his affection, unable to resist the urge to press his lips against her rosy ones. He had missed her terribly.

Cecilia didn't push him away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, tiptoeing to fervently reciprocate his kiss. The waitress quickly ducked into the restroom. Better to give them privacy than to face an awkward moment later.

Cecilia's rare enthusiasm sent Owen over the moon, his kisses becoming more insistent, until she had to gently push him away, though he still looked like a man yearning for more. Cecilia touched her lips, then teasingly poked his chest, "Are you ever going to get enough, or are you addicted now?"

Owen caught her finger, eyes brimming with passion, "You hardly ever respond with such fire. Can you blame me for getting hooked? Cecilia, when I was away on business, every spare moment was spent thinking of you, which is why I never allowed myself to stop, always working late into the night."

"But at night, in my dreams, there you were, making me all sorts of delicious food, being so gentle with me, showering me with gifts, kissing me... and well, let's just say we did more than just kiss in those dreams."

In his dreams, he had made love to her a million times over.

Cecilia was speechless.

"I was just about to order some takeout, want me to add something for you?"

Owen gave her a pitiful look, "Cecilia, I came straight to you, haven't even been home yet. Look at me, all travel-worn, tired and hungry. Can't you treat me to a decent meal?"

Cecilia softened, "Alright, let's go to the Pinehurst Hotel. Freshen up, change, then we can eat."

Owen's face lit up instantly. But Cecilia wasn't done with him yet, her finger prodding his chest once more, this time in a scolding manner, "Look at the state of you! Do you think you're still a spring chicken, able to work nonstop without a break? What's more important than your health?"

"Starve, see if I care! Who told you to skip meals? Nothing is more important than eating. You need food to keep going."

close, “I've been rushing, working hard to cut my trip short, just to see you sooner. Cecilia, a single

replied quietly, "...I missed you too,

"Really? You're just saying that to make me happy. I was away for days, and you only called once to ask where I was, what

tell me you were going away; I didn't get the chance to see you off." She was being considerate. She hadn't

was so sudden, I

her up upon her return. Maybe it was the frequency of

up, "Let's not talk about her. You and she are history. From now on,

had been expelled from his heart, especially with Cecilia taking her place. He

were wasted. Ruby's regret meant nothing now. He had moved on, never to return to

drive, you must be exhausted and famished after your trip."

for his bodyguard to have the

had they left than

at lunchtime. Cecilia and the waitress should be here. And where are the bodyguards?" Darlene asked, concern evident in

something didn't

anything had happened, the neighbors would have told me as

"Little sis, little sis!"

in the

restroom upon

Cecilia and Mr.

back?" Lucinda inquired with